The Sekaten Ceremony commemorates the birth of prophet Mohammad and is one of the most popularly celebrated festivals in Yogyakarta. The festival takes place in the month of Mulud in the Javanese calendar and it continues for one whole week. The Georgian calendar has it on the month of June.Features of the Sekaten Ceremony, Yogyakarta:
- There is a special midnight parade in which the Royal Sevants or the Abdi Dalem marches from Ponconiti hall. They carry two sets of Gamelan that are called Kyai Nogowilogo and Kyai Gunturmadu. These Gaelans are considered to be sacred and people flock to hear the Gamelans being played at the Grand Mosque also known as the Masjid Agung. The two Gamelans are played simultaneously for seven long days and they are finally returned at Karaton. They believe that hearing the gamelans will bring them good luck and health. The parade that continues from the Palace to the Grand Mosque is colorful and vivacious and people line to watch the famous march.
- There are also performances of folksongs and traditional folk music held on the first day.
- Special food like Nasi Gurih and Endhok Abang especially for this special religious festival. Gunungan or rice mountains are also made at the termination of the ceremony. It is made of vegetables, peanuts, eggs, sticky rice and red pepper. This traditional dish is said to symbolize prosperity and the wealth of Mataram kingdom.
- A night fair is held at Alum Alun Utara for almost over a month. Native people as well as the tourists flock at this colorful fair.
- The Saketan festival finally culminates into the Gerebeg Mulud and this is characterized by a parade of the Palace Guard comprising of ten units.
If you are visiting Yogyakarta in June, you will enjoy watching the Sekaten Ceremony. The entire place is dressed up in a festive mood the parades and the night fairs will really bring you closer the local traditions and customs.
